Greater Western Water takes steps towards a cooler, greener west

As part of an initiative to create cooler, greener spaces in Melbourne’s west, a small army of Greater Western Water volunteers and local community groups took part in a recent tree planting event at the Melton Recycled Water Plant.

Five hundred indigenous trees were planted as part of the event helping to expand the tree canopy cover in the west. The trees form part of GWW’s commitment to planting 10,000 trees across three of its wastewater treatment sites in Altona, Werribee and Melton.

GWW Managing Director, Maree Lang said expanding tree canopy cover in the west allowed for a more climate resilient future.

“These additional 10,000 trees will improve environmental health, increase biodiversity, reduce emissions and create habitat and nature corridors for wildlife,” Ms Lang said.

The event contributes to the Victorian Government’s More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program. The program aims to plant trees in urban areas with the lowest tree canopy cover and includes a commitment to planting half a million trees (500,000) across Melbourne’s west.

In addition to benefits of shading and cooling, increased trees can reduce urban temperatures, help clean the air, provide more accessible green spaces and improve stormwater management through increased filtering and reduced runoff.

The project will see 180,000 trees planted by the end of 2022, in addition to the 30,000 trees already planted since last year.

To discover more ways GWW is planning to support thriving communities and environment see our Strategy 2030.